Staff Wellbeing Measures Recognised

Hospitality Health – a Scottish charity dedicated to improving health and wellbeing in the hospitality & tourism profession- has awarded its Wellness Charter to the Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness.

The charity was founded in 2018 with a mission to change the way the industry thinks about mental health. Its Wellness Charter award recognises businesses which are putting the right measures in place to support the mental wellbeing of their staff.

The Hospitality and tourism sectors have often been associated with unsociable hours and pressures on work-life balance and Hospitality Heath believes that recognising and understanding emotions is essential for employers.

The charity seeks to provide employers with the tools and skills to bring about positive change by putting supports in place to help staff experiencing mental ill health, by providing access to assistance and by challenging stigma.

The Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness has taken steps to develop an all-encompassing programme of staff support which relates directly to the workplace but also acknowledges the wider work-life relationship.

Speaking at the Charter presentation, Victoria Erasmus, Owner of the Glen Mhor Hotel, commented: “We are delighted to be awarded the charter from Hospitality Health. Focussing on the wellbeing of our staff, we have introduced mental health first aiders, wellness training, health passports and development training for all staff.

“We have taken a holistic audit of the Glen Mhor and introduced initiatives that both support individuals in our workplace and in their own home lives as well. I am very proud of what we are doing as a family business at a time when stress and anxiety within the sector is high.”

Victoria added: “Gordon and the team at Hospitality Health are so passionate about helping those that work in the industry by providing invaluable information to anyone that may be facing work or personal worries.
“This is a fantastic charity that is current and definitely needed in an industry that, whilst very rewarding, can be very tough!”

Gordon McIntyre, from the charity, added: “What we are trying to achieve with Hospitality Health is to equip our industry with the right tools and mental health first aid training to not only address mental health but to put staff welfare first.
“We launched Hospitality Health in Glasgow 5 years ago with 120 operators in attendance and we have grown considerably, post- pandemic, with a real need for mental health support.”

Any hospitality business wishing to be considered to receive the Wellness Charter, should contact Gordon at gordon@hospitalityhealth.org.uk

More information about the charity can be found at online: www.hospitalityhealth.org.uk